It oversees universities and other post-secondary education in South Africa.

It was created in 2009 after the election of President Jacob Zuma, when the former Department of Education was divided.

The political head of the department is the Minister of Higher Education and Training; as of February 2018[update] this is Naledi Pandor.

The name Sol Plaatje House is now used for the new Department of Basic Education building.

The Department issues a journal rank called "List of Approved South African Journals",[1] used as a criterion for South African scholars and scientists to receive recognition for their academic publishing productivity and for journal editors and publishers to receive monetary compensation from the government.